John Sweeney through David Kusnet have given us a new motivation to believe that Labor unions can make a difference in the quality of life for America's working class. The greed of corporations and individuls must be controled. As long as this greed is the driving force of our economy America will never be as great as it could be. America Needs a Raise is not just a title. It is the solution to most of the problems in our working class neighborhoods. John Sweeney's book, America Needs a Raise is full of facts and figurers, but is easy to read and understand. By understanding the value of workers acting collectively to acheive a goal through collective barginning, labor unions are shown to be the solution to the need for a more equal distribution of the wealth of our nation.

Kusnet is the "secret weapon" of progressive Democratic politics in America.

He has a born gift for articulation and call to action. Beyond that, he has a special calling ,I believe, and a quality "connection" with the spirit that sustains the best that is America. America.

His advocacy of use of the term "Investment," for example, for helping rebuild America's cities, predated the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) which goes into effect broadly on July 1, 2000. His comments about work and workers are particularly poignant.

He has much to say about Democratic politics but also, and more importantly, about the shape and nature of work and workers in the emerging new America.

He needs to update his book, and change it some, with a title like, "Acting American: a guide to skills essential for workers building the new USA."